The Hindu : National : K.J. Rao back, in a new avatar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 18, 2006

National

National

K.J. Rao back, in a new avatar

K.J. Rao

Agencies
Keshpur

The former Election Commission observer, K.J. Rao, was in West Bengal on Monday — in a new avatar.

The 64-year-old former bureaucrat, who played a key role in making photo identity cards mandatory during a trip to the State some months ago for revision of electoral rolls, was back as a poll analyst for the first phase of polling.

Mr. Rao was in the Keshpur area, considered a CPI(M) stronghold. He has been hired by a Bengali news channel to offer in-depth commentaries on the elections. He is visiting the districts of West Midnapore, Purulia and Bankura.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Rao said the election was peaceful and transparent. "There is no violence or any untoward incident. The people are casting votes spontaneously," he said.

The ongoing polls would be the "fairest" in the State because of the EC's strict enforcement of the code of conduct and the foolproof security arrangements.

However, he said he had seen a large number of booths in Keshpur without any polling agent from the Opposition parties. "I feel there are hardly any workers for the Opposition parties," he said.

Mr. Rao, who was instrumental in enforcing the EC restrictions during the Bihar Assembly elections last year, resigned last month on personal grounds.

To a question, he said he did not see anything wrong in providing unprecedented security cover for polling in the State, saying it would instil a sense of confidence in the voters.

Though the villagers were not used to seeing Central paramilitary troopers being deployed, it would not come in the way of voting.

Mr. Rao attributed the slow polling in the three districts, where the first phase of elections were held on Monday, to the rigorous checking of photo identity cards. "This is required to avoid false voting, booth jamming and impersonation.''

Mr. Rao said both voters and parties would realise at the end of polling why the EC adopted such a tough stand. "Such stern measures might have caused consternation in some parties, but the EC assumed the correct and perfect role as watchdog of democracy.''

Mr. Rao also lauded the EC for its poll arrangements in three Maoist-hit districts.

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